JapanAxe

Just snagged a refurbished 2nd Gen 6i6 from Focusrite's own website. Also noticed that their prices for pristine stock match the cheapest available elsewhere on line. Coolio.

Scam. That is all.

And now they've brought out Gen 3. No direct replacement for the 6i6. The new 4i4 has as many outputs as the Geb 1 and Gen 26i6, but no digital in (boo!) and is USB powered (trying to avoid this!). I wonder if Gen 2 prices will start to come down now?

After some online searching, the main non-cosmetic differences seem to be: Improved latency / sample rate performance, but the new drivers will also improve the performance of the Gen 1 units at the sample rates that the Gen 1 units can achieve - see here; and Better gain structure for the instrument inputs. Also the seller say they have successfully used MixControl, so that sounds promising. @Sibob has very kindly promised to come back to me when he has a bit more time.

I am looking to get one of these to replace my Roland Quad Capture, for 2 reasons: more routing options; separate PSU, so hopefully less USB-related noise. There is a used 1st Gen available locally, but the seller does not have the activation card with the software validation cards. Does anyone know whether I will have a problem installing or using Scarlett MixControl without these codes? @Sibob? Alternatively, how easy is it to set your routing by just using the options in your DAW (I use Reaper) without MixControl? Also, what would be the benefits of paying the extra for the 2nd Gen model? TIA

Dale Watson and his Lone Stars, at the Exchange in Bristol. This guy is phenomenal. His style is somewhere between Bakersfield and Sun Studios. He plays excellent country guitar and sings at the same time, and is also hugely entertaining. His band (drums, upright bass, pedal steel) are tight as a gnat's chuff*. The bass player was a guy called Chris Crepps, who also sang high harmonies. *gnat's chuff - unit of measurement for the adjustment of action at the nut on certain modified guitars

Whilst searching online for DIY bass amp kits (don't ask) I came across this gem on Techwalla: How To Build Your Own Bass Amp

Thanks so much, I need this for a gig on Saturday!

Yes I did get the gig. The guitar situation was sorted, and I have done 3 rehearsals on bass with the band to date. Also chipping in some BVs. First gig at the end of the month, second one in June. I'm liking it a lot!

I've done a couple of rehearsals with my new band at a rehearsal studio. I took my Demeter head and BF Super Twin to the first one, but I noticed there was an Ashdown ABM600 head and a 4x10 cab in the room. The room 2 floors up from ground level (there is a goods lift!) so the second time I left the BF in the car and took up my Mark Bass Nano 300. The ABM head turned out to be shagged (distorted, hardly any volume) so I plugged the Nano into the 4x10, expecting it to be all dull and woolly. Bloody Nora - what a great sound! Big, fat, and even, with (ahem) heft that did not seem possible from the pocket-sized amp. It just goes to show... something, but I don't know what. Mind you, I almost broke myself carrying the cab to where I wanted it in the room.

Any chance of recording the unwanted noise and posting a link here?

I second that emotion!

When I get to an audition I aim to: have done my homework on the band, the material, the gigs; be honest with them about what I can or can't do, in terms of both playing and commitment; and be the solution they are looking for, not another potential problem.

So where can you get them from?

I didn't get down to the bare wood but it's still loads better than it was.

Did a quick rub-down yesterday afternoon with a medium pad, followed by fine, and achieved a lovely satin finish with little effort. Went on to play a drag-free gig. Result! Many thanks

Not one of these:

Yes and no. It's complicated...

Well in an interesting development, I am now up for the guitar job in the tribute band. Back to the drawing board. At least I know the chords already....

https://www.joinmyband.co.uk/classifieds/madonna-tribute-act-looking-for-musicians-t1151835.html Would-be Madonna tribute vocalist looking for someone with 'a good sound system and mic'. Eh? Think I'll look for a band that can provide a good bass and amp!

I use Elixirs on my acoustic guitar, and they do retain their brightness for ages. Never tried Elixirs on bass though.

You may find you have more boot width available if you put your bass on top of a cab or similar.